PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The gang rape of an American teacher on the doorstep of the Garden Route National Park on Sunday, June 14 has not only sent shock waves through the Storms River community, but has sparked an outcry from women’s rights groups.
The 47-year-old woman, who cannot be named due to the nature of the crime, was out jogging towards the popular Dolphin Trail from a self-catering unit adjacent to the Tsitsikamma section of the park when two men approached her at about 12:00.
The men allegedly called out to her, but when she initially ignoring them they proceeded to run after her. According to police spokesperson Warrant Officer Gerda Swart, when the two men caught up with her they dragged her into the nearby bushes and took turns to rape her.
“After the incident the two men fled the scene,” Swart said.
establishment where she was staying and informed staff about what had taken place. They took her to the Storms River Police Station where a case was opened.SANParks Garden Route spokesperson Nandi Mgwadlamba said the tourist was rushed to a hospital in Knysna for observation and treatment before she flew back to Johannesburg where she is currently teaching at an international school.
Thanks to her being able to provide police with a good description of the men who attacked her, the police managed to apprehend two suspects about seven hours later.
The suspects, who are 25 and 26 years old, are believed to be illegal fishermen in the area.
They were scheduled to appear in the Storms River Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, June 17, but the outcome of court proceedings were not available before going to print.
Mgwadlamba said she was shocked that such a horrific incident rocked the usually tranquil area.
“We wish the victim all the strength in this difficult time and we are confident that the perpetrators will face the full might of the law,” Mgwadlamba added.
“Every incident of rape is horrific and highlights the growing crisis we as society are facing. It also makes it very clear that we, as a collective, are not on top of the causes of this scourge,” Foster said.
She added that while each rape in South Africa was a tragedy, the broader impact of such an incident where a tourist was involved, was far-reaching.
“Not only does it affect the victim whose life will never be the same, but it affects the community in which it happened, society as a whole and also our economy and tourism in general. It taints our image as a tourist destination and chances are that fear among visitors will rise.”
are that fear among visitors will rise.”She further said that incidents like Sunday’s attack would also send fear through the Storms River community. “Because a friend of mine was attacked while walking on the beach, she is now always scared to walk alone. The victim in this case was jogging – a healthy activity – and because of the incident people will become afraid to participate in activities like this.”
Knysna-Plett Herald readers were also shocked when news of the incident broke this week. Rosemarie Machetto said that the incident was tragic. “[It] is so sad that an innocent tourist has to go through such trauma in our country. She will never be able to recommend South African holidays freely,” Machetto commented.
Dewald Niemann added that a warning should go out to all visitors to be vigilant wherever they travelled. “Tsitsikamma is a very safe area but you still do not have to take chances when hiking or cycling or travelling,” Niemann said.
when hiking or cycling or travelling,” Niemann said. In the meantime, police have highlighted their safety tips to tourists once again, especially when out and about. These include avoiding an ostentatious display of expensive jewellery, cameras, mobile phones and other valuables. Police also warn visitors to safeguard their handbags, not to carry large sums of money, avoiding dark and isolated areas and to try to explore in groups and to stick to well-lit busy areas.
, not to carry large sums of money, avoiding dark and isolated areas and to try to explore in groups and to stick to well-lit busy areas.Police suggest, in the interest of personal safety and access to assistance in the case of a physical or medical emergency, to explore hiking trails in groups and to steer clear of isolated areas unless accompanied by a guide.
ARTICLE: YOLANDE STANDER, KNYSNA-PLETT CORRESPONDENT.
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